About the program

Master in Political Science

About the program
The aim of the Master’s programme in Political Science is to provide the student with a deep understanding of the basic concepts, theories and methods of political science. The programme is designed to develop students’ ability to critically assess conceptual and empirical problems, conduct independent problem-solving studies and to collect and process complex material. Upon completion of the programme, students will have acquired theoretical knowledge and practical experience of examining, assessing and analyzing problems in politics and international relations.

The programme has a strong research focus building on the internationally advanced research carried out within the department. Students will benefit from a research-driven course content, a large choice of subject-specific courses and varied methods of teaching with focus on developing students’ theoretical and analytical skills. During the course of study, students are expected to keep abreast with advances in political science research and contribute to the development of knowledge. The final degree project provides the student with the opportunity to apply advanced political science methodology and make an independent research contribution.

After the programme
The programme is designed to prepare students for a professional career in public or private organizations at home or abroad. The programme offers advanced training in critical analytical and methodological skills, specialized content knowledge and oral and written presentations required for demanding administrative, political or organizational assignments.

Due to its advanced courses in theory and methodology, the programme provides a highly qualified preparation for research and teaching, and is a qualification when applying for doctoral studies.

Programme design
The programme is designed to provide students with a wide choice of subject-specific courses within the classical sub-disciplines of political science – comparative politics, political theory, political administration, international relations and development studies. These courses are organized so that students may choose to specialize within a specific sub-discipline or broaden their knowledge from different sub-disciplines of political science. In addition to deeper subject knowledge, the students have the opportunity to develop proficiency in methodology and knowledge retrieval through the means of a compulsory methodology course during the first term and an elective course in reviewing prior research in the second term. These courses assist the students to develop the skills necessary to successfully complete the independent research project required for the Master’s thesis.

Instuction
Knowledge is transmitted and acquired through in-class teaching, seminar discussions and by means of various forms of individual work. Throughout the programme focus is put on training students’ ability to present their work in writing and orally.

All mandatory and elective courses are taught in English.

As the programme progresses, students are expected to assume increasing responsibility for their own learning and gradually acquire relevant research-based knowledge and skills.

From Autumn semester 2011 the Swedish Parliament has decided that students outside the EEA and Switzerland ("third country nationals") are required to pay tuition fees in order to study at Swedish universities. The fee for this programme is SEK 100,000 per year. There is also an application fee SEK 900. More information about tuition and application fees is available at the general pages for higher education and Study in Sweden.